“I didn’t know you could pay so much attention to what Pastor Jasper said
while you wrote notes to friends,” Cliff commented.

Chip ignored this. “But most of all, it’s the music. How can I worship God
when there’s just an old organ up there playing?”

Chip and his friends Gem, Carb, and Splinter had a praise band called The
God Rocks! They made music to God with drums and guitars. It was hard for Chip
to see how anybody could worship God with just an organ.

“Chip, why don’t you think up some ways church could be better for sparkin’
young rocks like yourself? When you have figured it out, we’ll talk,” his dad
said.

Chip spent the next week thinking about what to tell his dad.

If organ music wasn’t real worship, then what was?

He hopped on his skateboard and buzzed over to see Big B, the local radio
DJ. “What do you think real worship is, Big B?” Chip asked.

“Rock, that’s a tough one,” Big B said. “For me, real worship is when I put
on my rockman, crank up some praise tunes, and feel the music.”

Chip took notes. “Rockman. Tunes. This is great stuff, Big B! Thanks!”

Gem said real worship was when she sang to God with other rocks. Splinter
said it was when he played his bass guitar. Carb said he worshiped God when
he played his drums. And Mrs. Crag said it’s when she showed her love for God
by helping others.

“You haven’t asked me,” Nuggie said.

“What do you know about it?”

“I may be just a little rock,” Nuggie said, “but I know some things about
worship.”

“OK, let’s hear it,” Chip said. He even took out his note pad and pencil
to make Nuggie feel important.

“Well, my Tiny Pebbles class leader says that worship is telling God how
great he is. And that it doesn’t matter what kind of music you use. You don’t
always have to worship God out loud even.”

“I don’t know, Nuggie,” said Chip. “I think God likes music with a good beat.”

Cliff walked into the room. “Are you ready to give me a full report on worship,
son?” he asked.

“I decided to ask around,” Chip said, “and I got lots of different answers.
Some rocks worship God quietly. Some rocks shout and jump. And some rocks worship
God with what they do for others. But I learned the most about worship from
somebody that surprised me.”

“You didn’t use those words exactly,” Chip said. “But that’s what you meant.
God doesn’t care if I worship with an organ, or drums, or a guitar. He just
wants me to worship him.”

“Chip, I think you and Nuggie have figured it out,” Cliff said. “Rocks were
created to cry out our praises to God. There’s nothing wrong with using what
you like to praise him.”

“Dad, this Sunday I’ll think more about what my heart is feeling than what
my ears are hearing,”

Chip said. “And my heart will say, ‘Praise God!’”

If you go to church, there is usually a “worship time,” right? Usually everyone
stands up and sings songs together about God. You may sing songs that someone
wrote hundreds of years ago, or you may sing a song someone wrote last night.
Ever since God created people, people have been worshiping him with songs.

Psalm 66:1, 2 says, “Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory
of his name.” Everyone on earth should sing praises to God because he made us
and he loves us. The number one way we love God with all our heart and soul
and mind is to worship him.

Singing in church isn’t the only way to worship God, though.

You can sing at home, by yourself. You can write a poem or paint a picture
that shows your praise for God. You can also worship God by obeying him and
loving others. When you follow God, everything you do that pleases him is an
act of worship.

Telling God how great he is can be an exciting thing to do.

When you are in worship time at church, think about the words you are singing,
and what those words say about God and to God.

He’s really amazing! And each day, even when you’re not in church, you can
spend time telling God how great he is, and help other people to know about
God’s love by showing love to them.

SET IN STONE: Buck’s Memory Verse

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:1, 2

GET ROCKIN’

WANT TO BE A BETTER WORSHIPER? HERE’S HOW!

• Sing a song of praise to God—right now!

• Psalm 59:16 says, “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will
sing of your love.” Put a note next to your bed that reminds you to worship
God as soon as you wake up!

• Draw a picture, write a poem, or make a collage that expresses your worship
of God.